Nursing and working with retired racehorses do not usually go hand-in-hand, but for Verona Begadon, the career crossover has led to her discovering one of the loves of her life.
The horsewoman adopted Super Falcon in 2012 through the Standardbred Association of QLD (SAQ) Program, following his retirement from harness racing in 2011 after a 52-start career.
The standardbred, known as “Mango,” had never had a saddle placed on him, while Begadon did not come from a retraining background.
Thirteen years later, the pair were taking home the 2025 Queensland Off-The-Track Standardbred Leaderboard for Show Horse prize at the recent Equestrian Queensland Annual Awards.
The 45-year-old Begadon has been around horses ever since she was a 12-year-old back in her native Ireland.
After completing her medical training and moving to Australia 17 years ago, it was a connection through the nursing world that led to Mango landing in her care.
“I met a patient who had a contact with Lorraine Edwards who I ended up agisting with for eight years, and she had a standardbred at the time, and that's when I decided I would like my own,” Begadon said.
“Mango's owner Diane Reilly arranged to meet me face to face and told me how much she loved this horse and how important it was for her that he finds the best home.
“I went to see him, and I fell in love with him from the first time I set eyes on him.
“I really had no idea what I was getting into, to be totally honest, and had no idea what it would take to get this horse to the level I needed him to be.
“I rode a thoroughbred back in the day when I was in my teenage years at my old riding school and did a bit of jumping, but had no idea what it took to train a standardbred.
“I didn't have a retraining background, and along the journey, I discovered that it wasn't as easy as what I thought it would be, it took a lot of work.”
The duo took some time to became acquainted with each other, as the former racehorse adjusted to life without being in a gig.
Begadon said that it was not until 2021 when she started working with professional dressage coach Kristy Battista and Australian Olympic equestrian physio Narelle Stubbs where the connection with Mango really began to flourish.
“He'd never had a saddle on him, but I put a saddle on him and took it from there…he was such a good boy,” Begadon said.
“I found a few people to try and help me train him, and we went out and started doing a bit of dressage and showing with him, and we basically did all right.
“But it wasn't until I found the right people to really excel into what I am doing right now…Kristy and Narelle actually transformed me and Mango into the success we’ve had over the last three years.
“It takes certain people to get the success that you need and they really helped develop his proper trot.
“I always did a bit of dressage, but Kristy has been an amazing person to have, and has encouraged me, and we're out doing official dressage now with him, which is incredible.”
Based at Tamborine, the 20-year-old Mango is now thriving in the dressage and showing arenas, and was crowned the Champion Standardbred at the Ekka in 2024.
He was also crowned the 2024 QOTT Standardbred Leaderboard Dressage Champion, along with the 2025 Show Horse award.
Mango has also taken home multiple trophies and prizes over the years from the SAQ Annual Hacking Championships.
The duo have moved on to Official Novice dressage competitions, and scored high enough to qualify for last year’s Australian Amateur Owner Rider National Dressage Championships.
Begadon said the results were a great example of the capabilities of standardbreds.
“I had one judge telling me that she's judged a lot of standardbreds over the years, and none of them could do what he can do,” Begadon said.
“I don’t know whether he's a bit special, or it's just that I've really took the time to make sure he's got the best care, the best body work, the best coach to get to where we are.
“It took me a long time but that was my goal and my dream from when I first got him – to show people what this horse can do.
“Standardbreds are very underestimated, and now we’ve been out and about in the official dressage world, he's doing fantastic, he's recognised and very respected.
“I've never covered up his mark and the numbers on his neck - some people have taught me in the past to do that, so the judges don't see it and mark him down because he's a standardbred.
“I'm very, very proud to get him out and show people what these beautiful horses can do, and that shouldn't be underestimated.”
Begadon said she was keen to continue competing in Novice dressage with Mango.
The horsewoman had also not ruled out taking on another retired racehorse to retrain in the future.
“It is a tough one, because it's taken a long time to get me to where I am with Mango,” Begadon said.
“I have thought about getting another standardbred, but I have also thought about getting a thoroughbred for the future.
“If we do stop doing dressage, maybe I'll just stick to doing a bit of showing, which is not as tough on the body, but my goal is to keep going with Mango and prove to everybody that they can really achieve great results with the right people in their lives.
“He’s been a huge part of my life, and I don’t know where I would be without him.”
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